Oil combustion apparatus



-Jugne 18, 1935.

o. c. SCHROEDER El AL OIL COMBUSTION APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. so, less 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mw ww June 18, 1935.. o. c. SCHROEDER El AL 2,005,639

OIL COMBUSTION APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 30, 1 933 Invezzfiardx Oscar" fldc/raed'ez" Patented June 18, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 2,005,639 OIL QOMBUSTION APPARATUS Oscar C; Schroeder and Stanley Perry,

Chicago,

111.; said Perry assignor to Automatic Burner Corporation, Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois 7 Original application January 30, 1933, Serial No. 654,356. Divided and this application July 12,

1933, Serial No. 680,144

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to improvements in oil combustionapparatus, the present application being a division of our application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 654,356, filed 5 January 30, 1933.

Our primary object is to provide in oil combustion apparatus of the type in which the combustion of the oil delivered from the center of the hearth takes place generally in the form of a ring at the outer peripheral portion of the hearth, improvements to the end that complete combustion of the fuel will be effected and maximum efficiency obtained.

More specific objects are to provide a construction of burner whereby the oihdelivering element thereofmay be so positioned, as conditions may require, relative to the hearth to produce the results stated; to provide means whereby the volume and velocity of the oil discharged to the hearth may' be varied .as desired; and other objects as will be clear from the following description. Referring to the accompanying drawings;

FigLue l is a vertical sectional view of a fur nace embodying our invention and comprising, as anelement thereof, an oil-burner assembly, certain ,parts of the structure shown being repre sented in vertical elevation.

Figure 2 is a view in' sectional elevation of the burner assembly of Fig. l, certain of the parts being shown in partly sectional elevation.

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view, taken at the line 3-3 on Fig. ,2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4, aplan View of a portion of the fan device forming an element of the burner assembly.

Referring to the particular construction shown, 5 represents a furnace, shown as of the hotwater-boiler type, having a combustion chamber 6 formed with a hearth portion of refractory material and centrally apertured and supported on a centrally apertured plate 1, as for example metal, carried by the base 8 of the furnace.

The hearth portion shown and which is of the same construction as that shown and more par ticularly illustrated in our pending application, is formed of any suitable refractory material comprising'a ring-like base portion 9 having at its outer periphery an upwardly extending ring like side-wall-forming flange ill, a ring it superposed on the ring portion 9 concentrically therewith but of smaller diameter, and a ring I3 pref erably formed of arcuate sections disposed in a circular series and resting on the outer marginal portion of the ring 9 beyond the ring I! and filling the space between the ring H and the lower end portion of the side-wall-forming flange Hi.

It may here be stated that in the assembling of the parts of the combustion apparatus the oil burner assembly is positioned at the lower end of the combustion chamber 6, and the plate 1', then applied to the position shown. The base portion 8, preferably formed of cement, is then cast on the plate and, if desired, the flange portion i cast separately, in which case the one portion last to be cast is cast before the other sets. Thus in either case the base with its flange form a monolithic structure free of joints. After applying to place the sections of the hearth ring l2 cement to form the ring I! is cast on the base portion 9.

The ring 52 comprises an annular base portion is the inner periphery of which is of stepped form to provide, at a considerable distance below its upper edge represented at M, an annular oilreceiving trough, or groove, l and a lower inwardly located annular recess l6 presenting an annular shoulder-forming wall H. The hearth ring I 2 also comprises concentrically annular inner and outer series of breaker teeth It and I9, respectively, which rise from the base of the member l2 and are disposed outwardly beyond the groove l5. These two series of teeth are shown as spaced apart in a direction radially of the burner-structure, and the outer series of teeth l9 are spaced from the circumference. of the base member I2 and thus from the side-wall-forming flange It). The teeth l8 forming the inner series thereof are shown as of greater height than the teeth l9, which is preferred in the case of the larger sizes of combustion apparatus; and the same number of teeth are provided in each series thereof and they are so disposed, as shown, as to be in radial alignment with each other.

The upper face of the base portion l3 contains a series of downwardly tapering radial slots 2! alternating with the teeth l8 and i9 and the ends of which terminate at upwardly and outwardly inclined walls 21 which merge with the upper surface M of the base portion IS.

The ring member I2 is recessed at its outer periphery as indicated at 22 and contains in its upper face, an upwardly extending groove 23 eX- tending tangentially of the ring member [2 from the recess 22 to, and through, the inner periphery of this ringmember, this groove which is more clearly illustrated in our said pending application and which cuts through certain of the teeth 18 and 19, serving as a channel through which an igniter flame is projected into the space bounded by the ring 2 to ignite the fuel as hereinafter described.

The structure also comprises an oil-burner assembly at the central opening in the hearth for projecting radially outwardly and against the inner surface of the ring member I2, atomized oil for the combustion thereof, adjacent the side wall of the combustion chamber as hereinafter described, the flame produced being in the form of a ring.

The oil-burner assembly comprises a neck-ring 23 located in the central hearth-opening and having an annular external flange 25 underlying the hearth, the ring 24 preferably having-an extension ring-section 26.

The neck-ring 24 is provided at intervals with depending bosses 21 containing downwardlyopening recesses in which the upper ends of pipes 28, as for example four in number, are secured, the lower ends of the pipe 28 extending into openings in a base-plate 29. Extending upwardly into the pipes 28 are rods supported on the floor and slidable in the pipes 28, these several parts being held in vertically adjusted position by set-screws St on the plate 29 which extend through openings in the pipes 28 and bear at their inner ends against the rods 33.

The construction shown also comprises a vertically disposed electric motor 32 supported on a hollow member33 arranged in alinement with the opening in the neck ring 25, the member 33 being provided at intervals around its upper edge with upwardly extending bars 34 (one only of which is shown) each provided with an outwardly projecting stud 35, these studs being adapted to seat in slots 35 (one only of which is shown) provided in the inner peripheral surface of the neck ring 24. The member 33 is rigidly held to the neck ring 24 as by means of set screws, one of which is shown at 37, carried by the member 33 and screwing against the underside of the neck ring beyond, and adjacent to, a depending annular bead 38 on the neck ring, the member 33 being thus clamped by the studs 35 and the screws 3'! to the neck ring.

The upper end of the member 33 is formed of a hollow generally frusto-conically shaped portion 39 the upper extremity of which, open as shown, is surrounded by a ring 40 located concentrically within the neck ring 24 in spaced relation to both the portion 39 and neck ring 24 and supported at spaced apart intervals by pins 41 (one only of which is shown) engaging the studs 35.

Supported on the upper end of the bars 34 is a ring 42 positioned to extend downwardly into the upper end of the opening in the neck ring 24 but in spaced relation thereto throughout its circumference as shown, the upper surface of the ring 42 being so shaped as to present the annular upwardly tapering surface represented at 43,

The armature shaft of the motor 32 is represented at 44 and extends centrally upwardly through the portion 39 of member 33 to an elevation above the neck ring 24.

Secured to the upper end of the shaft 44 are air-forcing and oil-distributing means comprising, generally stated, a rotating hollow, generally cup-shaped, member 45 to which the oil is supplied and from which it discharges in atomized condition through a series of substantially radiallydisposed pipes 46 opening into the cup member 45 through the side wall of the latter, and

a rotary air forcing device 41 surrounding the upper end of the cup member 45.

The cup member 45, the annular side wall 48 of which preferably flares outwardly in an upward direction, contains large central openings 49 and in its top and bottom, respectively, the lower edge of the cup member being upwardly deflected in an inward direction as shown to provide an annular trough 5| into which the oil to be burned is led through a pipe 52 connected with any suitable source of oil-supply.

The air-forcing means 41 comprise an inverted shallow rotatable pan-like member 53 the rim 54 of which extends downwardly into the opening in the ring 42 and contains a series of openings 55 certain of which register with the pipes 46 which latter are shown as projecting outwardly a slight distance through these openings, and a series of radially disposed vanes 56 located within the member 41 and shown as formed of the portions of the rim 54 which are partially out therefrom and bent inwardly to produce theyopenings 55.

The inverted pan-like member 53 is provided with a shutter-device for controlling the size of the openings 55, and therefore the volume and velocity of the air delivery, and shown as in the form of a ring 51 containing openings 58 spaced apart, as in the case of the openings 55, the ring 5i being rotatably mounted for adjustment on the inverted pan-like member 53 and adapted to be secured in adjusted position by screws 59 which extend through arcuate slots 60 in the ring 51 and screw into thetop of the inverted pan-like member 53.

The cup member 45 and inverted pan-like member 53 are secured to the shaft 44 to rotate therewith by means of a hub Bl secured to the upper end of the shaft and having a flange 62 and means hereinafter described, for clamping these parts to the hub. The cup member 45 is suspended from said shaft '44 by skeleton means, that shown specifically being connected with the lower ends of arms 63 extending from a horizontal portion apertured to fit over the upper, up-

standing end portion 6 I of the hub 6| above the flange 52 and the top of the inverted pan-like member 53 is likewise apertured to adapt it to fit over the hub. A screw represented at 64 screws into the upper end of the shaft 44 and against a plate 65 between which and the flange 62 the l arms 63 and the inverted pan-like member 53, with washers 66 interposed, are clamped by the screw 64, the parts thus clamped being held against slippage on the shaft 44 by an upwardly extending pin 5'! on the flange 62 and extending through holes in the parts referred to.

In the operation of the burner structure oil supplied to the cup member 45 through the pipe 52 rises upwardly along its inner surface and discharges through the tubes 46 and air flows upwardly through the member 39 and thence passes upwardly through and around the cup member 45 the air discharging outwardly as a blast through the openings 55 in the inverted pan-like member 53, the oil and air so discharging impinging against the hearth ring 12.

The burner assembly is mounted in the furnace at such an elevation that the oil discharging from the pipes 46 impinges against the hearth ring I! substantially in the plane of the base portions of the inner row of teeth I8, viz., in the plane of the upwardly flaring walls of the slots 2|],the provision of the washers 66, which may be grouped as desired between the parts described,

adapting the cup member 45 to be secured to the shaft at the desired elevation above described and the location of the inverted pan-like member 53 at the desired elevation.

The installation shown also comprises means for supplying an igniter flame to the hearth through the groove 23. As the means shown form no part of the present invention and are fully shown and described in our said pending application, it will be suificient to state that these means comprise two pilot burners one of which is shown at 53 and which are controllably supplied with gas by mechanism represented generally at $9 having pipes if! and fl for leading gas to these pilots, respectively.

In the starting of the burner the oil discharging to the hearth as hereinafter described is ignited by the gas-flame produced by the ignition means, the groove 23 being so positioned that the igniter flame is projected into. the combustion chamber 6 in the direction of rotation of the oil and air delivering means described.

As a premise to a description of the particular manner in which the burner functions in connection with the hearth construction shown, it may be stated that the oil discharging from the pipes 46 is substantially uniformly distributed in a circular substantially horizontal sheet around the main burner, impinging against the hearth ring !2 in the plane of the base portions of the inner row of teeth l8 as above stated, these teeth as also the vertical rear side wall of the oil groove i5 becoming very hot in the continued operation of the burner and thus thoroughly vaporizing the oil.

The air, however, in discharging from the burner through the openings 55 spreads vertically to a slight degree, portions of the blast forcibly impinging against the teeth It! and passing through the spaces therebetween and other portions thereof sweeping downwardly along the upper surface of the hearth below the plane of the oil stream. The lower portion of the air stream strikes the wall If thereby causing the air to be deflected upwardly against the faces of the teeth l8, most of the air passing by, without entering, the oil groove I5 thereby causing a deficiency of oxygen in this groove so that the oil vapors therein are not combustible to a great degree, which prevents maintenance of a steady flame in the oil groove. A large proportion of the air discharged through the openings 55 sweeps over the top of the teeth l8 into the zone above the teeth E8 and i5 and represented generally at 12.

A part of the air which passes between the teeth it as stated enters zones represented generally at 73 and M and probably most of the oil vaporized in front of the teeth enters these zones and inasmuch as the amount of oil vapor which passes between the fingers into the zones 73 and it is far in excess of the amount that can be consumed by the air which enters these zones with the oil vapor, only partial combustion of the oil vapor takes place in zones '53 and M. As will be understood the air and oil vapor pass-- ing through the radial spaces between the teeth expand with resultant decrease in velocity and swirl spirally in the spaces between the teeth 58 and I9 and also the spaces behind the teeth is which promotes thorough intermixture of the oil vapor and the air. The velocity of the oil vapor and air entering zones 13 and 14 decreases to such an extent that stable combustion can be established in these zones; however, the partially consumed gases in traveling from the zones of incomplete combustion adjacent the teeth l8 and I9 into zone '62 become mixed with the air flow ing into this zone as above stated forming a completely combustible mixture burns in this zone.

While we have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying our invention we do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, oil-distributing means rotatable with said shaft, air-delivering means adjacent the discharge from said oil-distributing means and having openings in the plane of said discharge and through which the air discharges, and shutter means for said openings, for the purpose set forth.

2. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, oil-distributing means rotatable with said shaft, air-delivering means comprising a member having a rim with openings therein in registration with the points of discharge from said oil-distributing means, and shutter means for said openings, for the purpose set forth.

3. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, oil-distributing means rotatable with said shaft and having pipes through which the oil is discharged laterally of said shaft, air-delivering means rotatable with 2 said shaft and comprising a member having a rim with openings therein in registration with said pipes, and shutter means for said openings, for the purpose set forth.

4. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, oil distributing means comprising a cup open at top and bottom and through which said shaft passes, distributing outlet pipes extending outwardly from the side of the cup at points below said open top, skeleton means extending above said cup for supporting the latter on said shaft, an inverted pan-like member secured to said shaft above the cup, said member having 2. depending rim surrounding and outwardly spaced from said cup, said rim being provided with openings through which said oil distributing pipes project.

5. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, an inverted pan-like member supported thereon having a depending rim, an oil cup, skeleton means suspended from said shaft for supporting said oil cup adjacent to and below said inverted pan-like member in spaced relation to said rim, means on said shaft interconnected with and locking said skeleton means and member for rotation with said shaft, said rim having openings therethrough about the cup, and oil distributing pipes projecting from said cup and through said openings.

6. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, an inverted pan-like member supported thereon having a depending rim, an oil cup, skeleton means suspended from said shaft for supporting said oil cup adjacent to and below said inverted pan-like member in spaced relation to said rim, means on said shaft interconnected with and locking said skeleton means and member for rotation with said shaft, said rim having openings therethrough about the which thereupon cup, oil distributing pipes projecting from said cup and through said openings, and a shutter for said openings.

'7. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, means on said shaft providing an outwardly extending flange, a pin rising from said flange, oil distributing means comprising a cup open at top and bottom through which said shaft passes, skeleton means suspending said cup, an inverted pan-like member above the skeleton means, said pin and up-standing portion passing through said cup and said skeleton means, said inverted pan-like member having a depending rim spaced outwardly of said cup and provided with openings, and oil distributing outlet pipes on the side of said cup and projecting through said openings.

8. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, means on said shaft providing an outwardly extending flange, a pin rising from said flange, oil distributing means comprising a cup open at top and bottom through which said shaft passes, skeleton means suspending said cup, an inverted pan-likemember above the skeleton means, said pin and up-standing portion passing through said cup and said skeleton means, said inverted pan-like member having a depending rim spaced outwardly of said cup and provided with openings, oil distributing outlet pipes on the side of said cup projecting through said openings, and a shutter for said openings surrounding said rim.

9. In oil-burner apparatus, the combination of a rotatable vertical shaft, oil distributing means comprising a cup open at top and bottom and surrounding said shaft, skeleton means supporting said cup on said shaft, an inverted pan-like member having a depending rim provided with openings, oil distributing pipes extending outwardly from the side of said cup at points below said open top with their discharge ends projecting through said openings, and means securing said cup and-inverted pan-like member rigidly to 20 said shaft.

OSCAR C. SCI-IROEDER. STANLEY PERRY. 

